Read & explore together
The letter challenges appeals to Bel and surrounding rites
This passage challenges the claim that certain figures are gods. It points to the way people treat them, the mistaken appeal to Bel, and false practices around them, then returns to the same pressing question.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
Baruch 6:40–44, in the Catholic additional books, speaks in a prophetic, teaching style. In this extract, the writer disputes the claim that these figures are gods. The argument rests on the Chaldeans’ dishonour, on treating Bel as if he could understand, and on the falsehood present in the rites described.
Baruch 6:40–44Main takeaway
This passage teaches that such figures should not be called gods, because the practices around them expose falsehood and a lack of understanding.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A question about dishonourThe passage begins with a challenge: how can anyone think or say these are gods when even the Chaldeans dishonour them?
Explanation
The passage begins with a challenge: how can anyone think or say these are gods when even the Chaldeans dishonour them? The point is not to describe proper worship, but to show that the treatment they receive does not fit the claim that they are truly divine.
02Bel is treated as if he could understandThe writer then gives a pointed example. People bring a mute person and ask him to call on Bel, as though Bel were able to understand.
Explanation
The writer then gives a pointed example. People bring a mute person and ask him to call on Bel, as though Bel were able to understand. The force of the example is that the practice itself reveals the mistaken claim being made about Bel.
03People fail to perceive itVerse 42 turns from the ritual to the people themselves. It says they cannot perceive this and do not forsake the idols.
Explanation
Verse 42 turns from the ritual to the people themselves. It says they cannot perceive this and do not forsake the idols. The emphasis here is on their lack of understanding and their refusal to turn away, even though the problem has been exposed.
04False rites and a repeated questionThe passage next describes women with cords, burning bran for incense, and competing over sexual attention.
Explanation
The passage next describes women with cords, burning bran for incense, and competing over sexual attention. It then says that whatever is done among them is false. The section closes by repeating the opening question, pressing readers again not to call such figures gods.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What reason does verse 40 give for questioning whether these are gods?
Notice who dishonours them in the verse and how that treatment is used in the argument.
02Why does the writer mention people asking a mute person to call on Bel?
Focus on the phrase saying Bel is treated as though he were able to understand.
03How do verses 42 and 44 explain the meaning of the rites in this passage?
Look for the words about lacking understanding, not forsaking the idols, and what is called false.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Baruch 6:40–44
40How could a man then think or say that they are gods, when even the Chaldeans themselves dishonor them?
41If they shall see one mute who can’t speak, they bring him and ask him to call upon Bel, as though he were able to understand.
42Yet they can’t perceive this themselves, and forsake them; for they have no understanding.
43The women also with cords around them sit in the ways, burning bran for incense; but if any of them, drawn by someone who passes by, lies with him, she reproaches her fellow, that she was not thought as worthy as herself and her cord wasn’t broken.
44Whatever is done among them is false. How could a man then think or say that they are gods?